Need opinions on led lights

danb73 · 02/06/2020, 04:45 PM

I just set up a 30 gallon breeder reef tank with the intention of growing LPS and soft corals. I currently have a Fluval sea marine light that I used previously that can barely grow softies but has a good spread throughout the tank. Ok, now for the question....I have $200 to spend on lights and am looking at the following options.
Kessil A360we - 2 years old $175
Radion Gen 2 - not sure exactly how old but they came out in 2012, $200.
AI Prime - New $200
Keep in mind I will be supplementing these with the flu all lights so I should get full coverage with one fixture. Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Dmorty217 · 02/06/2020, 06:34 PM

They’re all great and reputable lights so it’s more of a preference. The Radion can be upgraded so that’s a plus over the other two

danb73 · 02/06/2020, 07:00 PM

I agree that’s why it’s such a tough choice. The Radion’s go for $650 new so it would seem like a no brainer but they are probably close to 8 years old which adds some serious risk. The AI Prime is probably an inferior light but being new I can expect at least 4 or 5 years of good use. Owning a Radion would be pretty cool though....lol.

Guygettnby · 02/06/2020, 11:38 PM

Plenty of decent cheap led fixtures out there that will work for you and you can get beams new for that price fyi. I have ran ocean revive lights on multiple tanks for years. Great coverage and you can grow anything with them. I have used them on heavy dominated sps tanks and very mixed reef tank with a bit of everything

nereefpat · 02/07/2020, 08:13 AM

What's the dimensions of a 30 breeder?

The AI Prime looks like it has the least spread.

danb73 · 02/07/2020, 11:51 AM

The tank dimensions are 36x18

nereefpat · 02/07/2020, 12:21 PM

The 3' length makes it tough.

I believe all three of the lights are about 18"x18" spread. You could hang them high and crank them up.

Are you supplementing with t5? That helps. Maybe add more T5s instead of LED? There are bigger LED fixtures with more spread. Or maybe a black box, in this case, would actually be better than the name brand fixtures. I believe lots of folks run 40 breeders with black boxes, like marsaqua or viparspectra

danb73 · 02/08/2020, 09:10 AM

I might supplement with the fluval marine 30" fixture. I know it's not great but working together with either the AI prime or the radion it might work. I might even just use the blues on the fluval. Thanks for your response I appreciate everyone's suggestions.

kruler · 02/22/2020, 07:59 AM

If the Radion is an xr30 it will have the most coverage of those options. You’ll probably need to raise it up or be limited in coral placement.

Uncle99 · 02/22/2020, 08:53 PM

I use Visparspectra 165w for my tank as I could not afford $1000 in lights.
Instead I paid $200, and after three years, super happy with results.
Supports my 6 clams, SPS and Acros. No special effects or WiFi but my corals don’t care.

Michael Hoaster · 02/24/2020, 12:47 PM

My opinion on LED lights is that they are inadequate, over-priced and unnatural-looking.

aquaman67 · 02/25/2020, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

My opinion on LED lights is that they are inadequate, over-priced and unnatural-looking.

What do you mean by unnatural looking?

I’m using Red Seas ReefLED 90 on my tank. This light gives a great shimmer and I can change the color to anything I want. I don’t think it was expensive either.

MarAquatic · 02/25/2020, 10:20 PM

I have a prime and love it

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

five.five-six · 02/26/2020, 07:00 AM

Metal halide.

nereefpat · 02/26/2020, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaman67

What do you mean by unnatural looking?

To puts words in his mouth, he's probably referring to the disco ball effect, or the heavy blue look, or both.

aquaman67 · 02/26/2020, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

To puts words in his mouth, he's probably referring to the disco ball effect, or the heavy blue look, or both.

The lack of metal halide like shimmer was a complaint of T-5s.

This LED definitely has shimmer.

As for too blue. You can change the color to anything want.

For me 15K is too white and 20K is too blue.

I have my LEDs set at a custom color temperature. You couldn’t buy a bulb this exact color if you wanted to. You could probably mix bulbs and get close. But how many bulbs would you have to experiment with before you got it right?

I can open the app on my phone and change the color from anywhere. Or photoperiod. Or add clouds. Whatever I want.

Other light systems just can’t compare to LEDs.

MarAquatic · 02/26/2020, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

My opinion on LED lights is that they are inadequate, over-priced and unnatural-looking.

Only way for natrual lighting is sunlight.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

nereefpat · 02/26/2020, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaman67

The lack of metal halide like shimmer was a complaint of T-5s.

This LED definitely has shimmer.

As for too blue. You can change the color to anything want.

"Disco ball effect" doesn't refer to lack of shimmer.

I'm not here to debate MH v LED v T5. You asked what he meant by "unnatural." Many folks that run LEDs have them too blue, and they have the disco ball look of non-blended, different colored spots of lights that look like a seizure. That is what was meant by "unnatural."

five.five-six · 02/26/2020, 01:17 PM

If you ever go diving, anything other than MH looks unnatural to one extent or another.

I’m not sure that natural is a benchmark that many people are shooting for.

02/06/2020, 04:45 PM	#1
danb73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 64	Need opinions on led lights I just set up a 30 gallon breeder reef tank with the intention of growing LPS and soft corals. I currently have a Fluval sea marine light that I used previously that can barely grow softies but has a good spread throughout the tank. Ok, now for the question....I have $200 to spend on lights and am looking at the following options. Kessil A360we - 2 years old $175 Radion Gen 2 - not sure exactly how old but they came out in 2012, $200. AI Prime - New $200 Keep in mind I will be supplementing these with the flu all lights so I should get full coverage with one fixture. Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

02/06/2020, 06:34 PM	#2
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	They’re all great and reputable lights so it’s more of a preference. The Radion can be upgraded so that’s a plus over the other two __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

02/07/2020, 08:13 AM	#5
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	What's the dimensions of a 30 breeder? The AI Prime looks like it has the least spread. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

02/07/2020, 12:21 PM	#7
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	The 3' length makes it tough. I believe all three of the lights are about 18"x18" spread. You could hang them high and crank them up. Are you supplementing with t5? That helps. Maybe add more T5s instead of LED? There are bigger LED fixtures with more spread. Or maybe a black box, in this case, would actually be better than the name brand fixtures. I believe lots of folks run 40 breeders with black boxes, like marsaqua or viparspectra __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

02/24/2020, 12:47 PM	#11
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	My opinion on LED lights is that they are inadequate, over-priced and unnatural-looking. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

02/06/2020, 07:00 PM	#3
danb73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 64	I agree that’s why it’s such a tough choice. The Radion’s go for $650 new so it would seem like a no brainer but they are probably close to 8 years old which adds some serious risk. The AI Prime is probably an inferior light but being new I can expect at least 4 or 5 years of good use. Owning a Radion would be pretty cool though....lol.

02/06/2020, 11:38 PM	#4
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	Plenty of decent cheap led fixtures out there that will work for you and you can get beams new for that price fyi. I have ran ocean revive lights on multiple tanks for years. Great coverage and you can grow anything with them. I have used them on heavy dominated sps tanks and very mixed reef tank with a bit of everything

02/07/2020, 11:51 AM	#6
danb73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 64	The tank dimensions are 36x18

02/08/2020, 09:10 AM	#8
danb73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 64	I might supplement with the fluval marine 30" fixture. I know it's not great but working together with either the AI prime or the radion it might work. I might even just use the blues on the fluval. Thanks for your response I appreciate everyone's suggestions.

02/22/2020, 07:59 AM	#9
kruler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 24	If the Radion is an xr30 it will have the most coverage of those options. You’ll probably need to raise it up or be limited in coral placement.

02/22/2020, 08:53 PM	#10
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I use Visparspectra 165w for my tank as I could not afford $1000 in lights. Instead I paid $200, and after three years, super happy with results. Supports my 6 clams, SPS and Acros. No special effects or WiFi but my corals don’t care.

02/25/2020, 10:20 PM	#13
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 689	I have a prime and love it Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

02/26/2020, 07:00 AM	#14
five.five-six Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Corona Posts: 7,827 Blog Entries: 6	Metal halide. __________________ Originally posted by yellowslayer13: "I hate that hole" Current Tank Info: SCMAS Member 225 peninsula euroreef RS180 Apex 400W X 3 20k radiums / Spectra mixed SPS

02/26/2020, 01:17 PM	#19
five.five-six Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Corona Posts: 7,827 Blog Entries: 6	If you ever go diving, anything other than MH looks unnatural to one extent or another. I’m not sure that natural is a benchmark that many people are shooting for. __________________ Originally posted by yellowslayer13: "I hate that hole" Current Tank Info: SCMAS Member 225 peninsula euroreef RS180 Apex 400W X 3 20k radiums / Spectra mixed SPS